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Week 739

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Week 741

Every week we will be starting a new Story Telling competition - with great prizes! The current prize is 2000 NP, plus a rare item!!! This is how it works...

We start a story and you have to write the next few paragraphs. We will select the best submissions every day and put it on the site, and then you have to write the next one, all the way until the story finishes. Got it? Well, submit your paragraphs below!

Story Seven Hundred Forty Ends Friday, August 19

“I refuse to believe it – she can't... she couldn't... Masila hasn't been seen in Neopia since Galem Darkhand's downfall!” the white Aisha was almost shouting.

“But if the Kyrii's information is correct then she's at large again.” responded Judge Hog in his deep calming voice.

Sammick scowled darkly and crossed his arms fiercely over his chest. They were talking over his head again – as though he wasn't even there. There were definite disadvantages to being painted invisible, he reflected.

“Aisheena,” said Judge Hog in a placating tone, “We are the Defenders of Neopia. It is our duty to respond to allegations such as this-”

Sammick cleared his throat. “I'm telling you, I saw her!” he said.

Judge Hog looked vaguely at the air over Sammick's right shoulder.

“Yes, we'd best hear what this young Kyrii has to say before we make any hasty decisions,” he added.

Sammick rolled his eyes heavenwards. Finally! And he began his story:

“I was walking through a quiet part of Happy Valley when I saw a blue Mynci acting very strangely. The way he was walking, constantly looking around as though he didn't want anyone to see him, it just made me feel he was up to no good. So when he opened the door to a dingy tavern and stepped inside, I slipped in behind him. The place was deserted, but, it would've been about five minutes later, a trapdoor opened and Masila emerged from it.”

“Well, unless it was some other green Acara who happened to have stolen her earrings, cloak and brooch, yes it was.”

Aisheena still looked skeptical.

“Then Masila and this blue Mynci started talking,” Sammick continued relentlessly.

“While you were just standing there listening?” Aisheena interrupted again.

Sammick rolled his eyes once more. “Well you see, there are certain perks to being invisible,” he told her condescendingly.

“Oh, yes, right,” said the Aisha somewhat shamefacedly, and she subsided into a reluctant silence.

“Well if we're finished with the interruptions,” said Sammick irritably, “Maybe I can finish my story?”

Judge Hog nodded slowly, “Yes, please go on...” he said.

Author: reiquaDate: Aug 7th

***

"Are you sure we're alone here?" Masila asked in a hushed voice. "I've put a lot of effort and money into making myself disappear, you know."

"I'm positive, my lady," the Mynci replied, the words sliding out of his mouth easily. He didn't know an Invisible Neopet had followed him in, because how could he? "I'd been scouting this place for a while before I asked you to meet me here. I can confirm that no one ever comes in or out."

"Very well. I have no desire to mince words with you, Valin, so make it quick. What is this information you have regarding Kanrik and Hannah?" the green Acara snapped.

"Yes, my lady, as you know I was loyal to Galem. I would have followed you, my lady, if only I had known where you went. So I've been biding my time, you see -"

"Get on with it!" Masila snapped, cutting him off with an agitated flick of her wrist.

"Yes, yes, of course." Valin fiddled with his hands for a moment and looked at the floor. "I overheard Kanrik and Hannah speaking the other day, planning. Kanrik intends to leave a few lieutenants in charge of the Obelisk situation and take a vacation with Hannah, who has been very annoyed at him spending all his time in Tyrannia. It is unlikely they will have any backup at all, and - if they do have backup, it won't be their top troops."

"Hmm, now that is interesting. And it would be poetic. I do wonder who I would dispose of first," Masila said, her eyes turning misty for the briefest moment; a rare smile crossed her face as she imagined the cruel scenarios playing out in her mind. "Where will they be?"

"Why, here of course. Terror Mountain. I don't know what they plan to do, but I do know that in a week's time, they plan to meet outside the old, abandoned Ski Lodge... you know, the one no one visits anymore and most people don't even know existed," Valin explained.

"I see. You've been very helpful, Valin, very helpful indeed," Masila replied, in a tone that Sammick didn't like but perhaps that was just how she sounded when she was happy.

"Can... can I come with you, my lady?" the Mynci asked quickly.

"No."

***

"That was three days ago. I got here as fast as I could. If Valin's information was accurate, Kanrik and Hannah will be at the Ski Lodge in four days and Masila will be there as well," Sammick concluded.

The Defenders of Neopia had been nodding along to his story, and some of them were even looking at him rather than in his general direction!

"I suppose looking into this couldn't hurt," Aisheena said slowly, breaking the silence after the Kyrii's tale had ended.

"It's settled, then," Judge Hog declared. "Aisheena, prepare some troops to set out for Terror Mountain. You should take Sammick here, too, his invisibility might prove useful once more..."

Author: catchinglightsDate: Aug 15th

..."Indeed," said Aisheena with a graceful bow. Glancing in Sammick's direction, she gave a solemn nod. With that, she strode off quickly.

"It's best if you follow her for now," said Judge Hog to the Kyrii. "Almost as fast on her feet as Lightning Lenny, that one."

And so Sammick set off in haste, to see what this unexpected adventure had in store. Even if no one could see him, he would see to it that Aisheena would accept his help. He was more than capable and this was his chance to prove it; his chance to be...seen.

Already, the Aisha had gathered troops and had them wrapping themselves in white pelts for warmth and camouflage.

"Stealth!" she exclaimed to the group of stoic-faced Neopets. "We'll slip through the hidden caves as we make our way to the top."

"Even if we can't be invisible like this one," said Aisheena, signaling toward Sammick -- how had she known where he was?! -- "We'll be as quiet and as cautious as if we were. The hike will take 12 hours."

The group stood at attention.

"Now, I hope no one is afraid of Snowbeasts," she said with a smirk, once again casting a mischievous glance toward Sammick. "We set off at once..."

Author: prettyobscureDate: Aug 16th

And so, the group trudged through the snow. Sammick could see the yellow Wocky at the Scratchcard Kiosk dozing off, while the Slushie Shop and the Ice Cream Cart began closing shop. Dusk was approaching and the moon was rising; there was only the whispering of the brisk wind that sliced through the silence. Eventually, the troops arrived at the Ice Caves.

"Keep the group tight, we wouldn't want to lose anyone," exclaimed Aisheena, as they climbed the ice slopes.

"Isn't there any other way to reach the mountain, besides the caves?" Sammick questioned one last time. "Us Kyrii aren't exactly famous for winter climates."

"This route is the most ideal if we wish to travel to the top, undetected," advised Aisheena.

"Very well then," muttered the Kyrii.

Audria, the pink Shoyru, was one of the new recruits, but more importantly, one of the troops that were assembled.

"The terrain here is awfully slippery...I hope I'll be able to keep my balance," prayed Audric.

"You'll be fine Audria," reassured the yellow Aisha. "After all, you passed the recruitment tests with flying colors. You have wings remember?"

Past the Ice Crystal Shop and the Neggery, the group increased in elevation. After many hours, the band was clearly fatigued. Aisheena, on the other hand, seemed calm and primed as always.

"We're almost there!" encouraged Aisheena. "Just a few more meters!"

She glanced at the individual conditions of her squad, making sure that everyone was still prepared for what's to come.

In the distance, Sammick spotted a mountain of vast treasures. The golden luminosity reflected off the ice, giving the stockpile an even more radiant glow. But, coiled around it was...the Snowager.

Perhaps I could take advantage of my...abilities and snag one or two souvenirs, thought the Kyrii, enamoured by the enticing gleam. After all, what harm could be done?

Audria was still behind him, but completely oblivious to his presence; she was still focused on recalling what she had learned before joining the Defenders.

Sammick carefully looks around his surroundings, making sure that no one notices him, especially the Snowager. Slowly...but surely...

Author: omegasnowDate: Aug 17th

...he came to his senses, straightening his back and his steps. Yes, glory was what he was looking for, and yet...not like this, he decided. Only, a second too late.

"Ow!" exclaimed the Pink Shoyru behind him, clipping his heel.

Before Sammick could give an utterance of pain or surprise, Aisheena was beside him, surveying the troop, now stopped in their tracks.

For a moment, the Kyrii could've sworn she'd met his gaze as she folded her brow.

"Sammick," she began slowly, in a quiet, fierce whisper. "I allowed your presence because Judge Hog saw something in you -- and I trust his judgement -- but don't. mess. with. me."

For the first time, he shivered.

"Oh please!" exclaimed Sammick, trying to his composure. "I told you Kyriis weren't made for this terrain!"

With a click of her tongue the Aisha rolled around and made her way back toward the front.

"Troop!" she said quietly, though all stood at attention. "We've made it this far and to the top we will! You're Defenders for a reason, trust your senses and trust me! Our mission will be a success."

Sammick surveyed the motley crew, who'd looked worn and beaten only minutes before. No longer; with poise and erect postures, they looked like they were prepared to take on all of Darigan's army.

Suddenly, the sound of shattering icicles erupted throughout the caves, and with alarm, Sammick noted how fortuitous it was that the troop suddenly seemed prepared, for The Snowager had slithered from above its beloved treasures -- almost as if enchanted -- and was making its way toward them, icy, frozen fangs bared...

Author: prettyobscureDate: Aug 18th

"This makes no sense," Aisheena muttered, as the giant ice snake slid slowly toward them. "The Snowager is supposed to be asleep at this time. And he never attacks anyone unless they're after his treasure."

"Perhaps it's a distraction?" Sammick offered.

The white Aisha continued to eye the Snowager's approach. "Well," she said, "this would be a good opportunity for you and the new recruit to prove yourselves, then."

"What?" cried Audria and Sammick together.

"Yes," said Aisheena calmly, looking at Audria now, to Sammick's annoyance. "You can fly, he's invisible, you'll do great holding off the Snowager. Besides," she added, with a smirk in Sammick's direction, "it'll only get colder higher up."

And before either of the two newbies could protest, the rest of the Defenders had already marched around the pile of treasure and up into a tunnel leading up the mountain.

The Snowager's fangs snapped to the right of Sammick. And to the left. Sammick scrambled desperately among the neggs and bric-a-brac. It was no use; the more he moved the more clearly the Snowager could see where he was. The Snowager's eyes were glowing with a mad gleam, though. Sammick wasn't sure that those eyes could actually /see/ in a conscious kind of way...

"Here!" Audria screeched from above, bounching a negg off the Snowager's head. Sammick's heart soared with gratitude as those mad, unblinking eyes turned from him to the pink Shoyru. He dashed toward the cave's exit, picking up a frozen show shovel as he ran.

"Rawr!" he cried, shoveling ice into the Snowager's face. The moments that it took for the great snake to shake its head gave Audria time to flee. Together, they dashed into the open air.

The two Neopets slumped in exhaustion on the snow.

"I can't believe they left us behind," Sammick complained, after they had regained their breath.

"Well, we did our task," said Audria proudly.

"And we're not going to be thanked for it," said Sammick. "You have to be where the action is to get any credit."

"And it helps if you're big, and strong, and good-looking," Audria added. "I know. We can't change how we appear to people. But you know what?"

"What?"

"We can take that shortcut up to the Ski Lodge, and try to get to where the action is. If we're fast, we might even get there first."

Sammick looked where the Shoyru pointed, at a rope that some climber had left behind, dangling from a cliff. It was certainly more vertical than the winding path the rest of the team was taking through the caves.

"It'll be alright," said Audria. "I'll fly as you climb and catch you if you slip." She had certainly gained a lot more courage in the past few minutes.

Sammick nodded, and set his teeth against the cold...

Author: swordlillyDate: Aug 18th

“I don't like this,” said Sammick in a deceptively calm voice. His hands and feet were spread eagled, gripping on to the freezing rock face for dear life.

“I don't like this, I don't like this, I don't like this, I don't like this,” he continued in that strangely calm voice. His eyes were closed – he couldn't bring himself to face the predicament he was in.

Audria flew around behind him, speaking calmingly and assuring him he could keep going. What Sammick didn't realise was that he was barely two body's lengths above the soft snow. Had he fallen, he would have been in no danger whatsoever.

After a long moment, Audria said kindly, “Would you like to climb down again, do you think?”

Sammick contemplated the proposition, his eyes still closed. Yes, he would very much like to climb down and forget about the whole thing. He envisioned himself curled up in his warm bed with a steaming cup of Borovan. No more Snowager, no more threatening criminals, no more adventures. And he'd be once again alone. No-one would know his name and no-one would care about him. Maybe Aisheena would capture Masila, and get all the glory and no-one would ever know that an invisible Kyrii called Sammick had played a part.

Sammick was acutely conscious of the uncomfortable, precarious position he was in. Weighing up everything in the balance, it was an easy choice. He'd take a lifetime of anonymity over a minute more on this cliff face any day.

Then an image of Audria, the pink Shoyru, swam unbidden in front of his closed eyes. The new recruit looked so disappointed. Disgraced. Not even included in her first real mission she'd been assigned to. And all of a sudden the decision wasn't that easy after all.

Suddenly, Audria let out a squeal of shock and fright. Sammick's eyes flew open and he looked back down at the ground. A green Acara stood at the foor of the cliff.

“Well, well, well – what have we here then?” said Masila's silky voice.

He saw Audria glance fearfully from Masila on the ground, to the place where he was on the cliff face, and thence to the open skies where she could possibly escape.

“Don't you fly away now, my pretty pink Shoyru,” said Masila, and Sammick saw that she had a crossbow trained on Audria.

He watched Audria fly apprehensively towards the ground and light on the snow some distance from Masila. To her evident relief, Masila seemed content not to approach, but instead surveyed Audria from a distance, taking in her attire.

“You're one of them!” the Acara gasped in shock, hatred evident in her expression. She took a few slow, measured steps towards the Shoyru. “Now tell me,” Masila's voice was suddenly brisk and businesslike, cutting through the air like a whip, “how did your filthy little band of fur-clad defenders get to hear of my presence here?”

Audria stammered in fright, “Wha-, wha-, I... I d-, I ha-, what do you mean?”

Masila's face contorted with fury. She crossed the distance to Audria in two great strides. “TELL ME!” she roared, pressing the blade of a dagger to the Shoyru's throat.

Sammick flinched violently at Masila's sudden movement. His left foot slipped, and he was thrown entirely off balance. For a moment, he scrabbled frantically to try and regain a foothold, indifferent to the fact that Masila might hear him, but it was to no avail. He fell and landed with a soft flump in the snow at the foot of the cliff.

It was over. Masila had heard him. She was walking across to where Sammick was now. This was the end.

Irrationally, Sammick curled himself up into a ball as Masila towered menacingly over him. Before he knew it, he was being roughly lifted from the indent in the snow and tied back to back with Audria.

Masila stood and surveyed the pair with satisfaction. “Ahh, but it all makes sense now,” she smiled at Audria. “This invisible friend of yours must have taken advantage of Valin's indiscretion,” she mused, eyes narrowed with hatred. For a brief moment Sammick felt almost sorry for Valin, he would not want to be in that Mynci's shoes! But then, he wasn't a big fan of being in his own shoes right at this moment either.

Abruptly, Masila turned away from them and walked back to the cliff face to inspect the rope.

As soon as Masila's back was turned, Sammick started to wiggle his hands experimentally. “I think I could get myself free...” he muttered to Audria. “Don't move,” he told her.

The pink Shoyru kept as still as she could while Sammick started to silently writhe behind her. Sure enough, he had soon wormed his way free. She was duly impressed.

“Well it is rather hard to tie someone up when you can't see what you're doing properly,” Sammick explained, “and in my case, Masila just didn't do a very good job.”

“Stay here, though,” Audria said warningly, “Masila will see your footprints if you move.”

Just at that moment, the Acara turned away from the cliff face and strode back to them.

“Shoyru,” she said curtly, “I need you to fly to the top of that cliff and release that rope for me.” She stepped forwards, towering over her captives, and reached towards the ropes to untie the Shoyru. Audria gazed up into her face in paralysed fear. What would Masila do when she found that Sammick was free?

Sammick's mind was racing. If Masila found him untied, everything they'd gained would be lost. It was the time for drastic action.

Immediately, he lunged forwards and punched Masila hard in the stomach before dashing out of the way. Masila doubled up, groaning with pain, but quickly recovered and began making wild grabs in Sammick's direction, but without success.

Suddenly, she changed tactic. The Acara lunged towards Audria instead and grabbed the Shoyru, forcing her around to face Sammick. Once again, the dagger sprang from inside her cloak, to point threateningly at Audria's throat.

“Surrender, or she gets it,” said Masila warningly.

Sammick froze.

For a moment he tried to weigh up pros and cons of what course of action he should take. But time was of the essence. Without warning he threw himself towards Masila's knife hand, and forced it away from Audria's throat while kicking out at Masila. His foot connected with her chest, and her grip on the dagger slackened as she was temporarily winded.

Quick as lightning, Sammick slipped the dagger out of her grasp and cut through Audria's bonds before heading off down the slope of the mountain at a run. Audria followed hot on his heels.

Masila let out a scream of fury and began careering down the hill after them. They had a small lead, but Sammick, checking back over his shoulder at regular intervals, was worried to see the tall Acara gaining on them.

“Look!” Audria yelled, pointing ahead. Sure enough, the village of Happy Valley was momentarily visible just over the next rise. Sammick felt sure they'd be safe if they got to the village. Masila would not want to be seen there.

On an impulse, he turned and threw Masila's dagger back at her. His aim was good, but Masila saw it coming. She thrust herself aside and the dagger buried itself in the snow a few yards behind her.

***

A few hours later, Sammick and Audria sat in a Happy Valley café, chatting over mugs of steaming borovan.

“What do you reckon Masila's up to now?” Sammick posed the question somewhat fearfully. They hadn't seen or heard anything of Aisheena's troop since getting back, but then, their assignment had been a secret one so perhaps it wasn't overly surprising.

“Oh, I doubt she's up to anything much,” answered Audria breezily. Sammick looked at her incredulously. “Well she has to disappear again, doesn't she? Her plans didn't work out too well this time, and until she can catapult herself in a position of power, it's best if no-one knows she's at large.”

“But we know she's at large!” protested Sammick.

“Yes, but who's going to listen to the word of a little pink Shoyru and an invisible Kyrii?” laughed Audria.

Sammick grinned wryly. There was far too much truth in that.

He sighed dejectedly. In spite of all he'd set out to achieve, in spite of all the fears he'd overcome, he was still a nobody.

Audria seemed to read his thoughts. She reached out a hand and touched his arm comfortingly.

“Sammick, you were amazing on the mountain back there,” she told him encouragingly. “I've never seen anyone act so bravely.”

Sammick looked gratefully back at her. “And you were so strong, too,” he smiled.

A contented silence stretched between them. Even if no-one else ever heard their story, at least they could glory in their own achievement.

Maybe there would be more adventures to come, but right now Sammick felt perfectly happy where he was. A comfy chair, a warm mug of Borovan, and a great new friend.

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